Homilies

20th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: TRUE FOOD AND TRUE DRINK

ONE OF THE effects of globalization to the modern world is the proliferation of “foreign” restaurants in every country. In the Philippines, for example, we see that Asian, American, and European restaurants are everywhere. This presence of various restaurants gives us a chance to taste different international cuisines. With these many choices, we can indeed find a food that really suits our taste. When that happens, we then patronize the restaurants which offer food we consider “best.”

The discourse on the Bread of Life continues and in this particular gospel passage, we are reminded by Jesus that the true satisfaction of our hunger can only be found in his flesh and blood. Let us try to go over once again the words that he uttered in this passage.

First, Jesus said that his flesh is “true food” and his blood is “true drink.” This declaration goes beyond the human aspiration for "best" food. Yes, when we want to satify ourselves, we search for the “best food” and “best drink.” But often we are disappointed because our consideration of something as best is actually short-lived. We are easily fed up with food when it is frequently taken, and thus later, we begin a new search for “better” or “best” food and drink. The words of Jesus show that his is the answer to our search for complete satisfaction. Jesus does not only present his flesh and blood as “the best”, but it is also “the true” food and drink. It is true because it gives us complete satisfaction. Once we have been filled by it, we no longer long for a new one; we stop the search because we have already found in him the food that completely satisfies our hunger.

Second, let us reflect on his exhortation. On the one hand, he gives us a warning: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you;” on the other, he gives us an assurance: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood will have eternal life.”

How shall we understand his words?

Eating his flesh and drinking his blood may mean our participation in the holy Eucharistic celebration. It can be observed that some Catholics, who come for the holy Eucharist, have no such awareness how important it is to receive the body and blood of Christ during the “communion.” For them, the failure to receive him (in communion) is OK. Let us take seriously the words of Jesus in the consecration: “Take this all of you and EAT it….” “Take this all of you and DRINK from it…..” I remember that in some Eucharistic celebrations, the choir or the congregation would even sing ‘O come let us adore Him…” during the consecration. And indeed, some people are simply there to adore the Lord in the Eucharist. But that is not what he meant. The simple adoration does not do justice to his instruction. We are not there in order to simply watch, gaze, or adore him. But we are called to EAT and to DRINK his body and blood.

Furthermore, the eating and drinking of Christ’s flesh and blood may also mean “accepting him in faith.” If we believe in his Person, that is, his “flesh and blood,” then we can attain eternal life. We experience the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist through his body and blood. Christ is present in the Eucharist so that we can be united with him. This “union” with him in faith suggests life in eternity. Therefore, our communion with Christ is not only confined to the one hour celebration of the holy mass. This unity or union with Christ should be carried by us after the holy mass; we carry it outside the Church. If we cling to him in faith, certainly, we will have life in him.

Such are the words of Jesus: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” Faith in him is decisive of the desired union with him.

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